Ultimate in English: Calls, Stall Count and Spirit Circle

Students play Ultimate using all the game's language in English: the calls foul, travel, pick and out, the stall count from one to ten, and the closing spirit circle. Because Ultimate is self-officiated, language becomes the tool for settling disputes respectfully.

How to play

1. Introduce the basic calls with their meaning and hand signal, and the phrase to settle a dispute: I called foul because..., do you agree?; the group repeats them while moving (5 min).
2. Passing drill in groups of three with the defender counting the stall out loud in English, stalling one, two, three... up to ten (6 min).
3. Play 5-on-5 or 6-on-6 games on two or three fields; all game communication, calls and score, is in English (16 min).
4. Midgame break: each team describes in English one disputed play and how they settled it (2 min).
5. Spirit circle in English: each team names an opponent for their fair play and comments on one strength of the other team using model phrases (6 min).

Rules

• No contact: the defender stays an arm's length from the thrower.
• When a call is made, play stops and it's settled by talking; if there's no agreement, the disc goes back to the last thrower.
• Only one defender may mark the thrower, and no wrapping arms around them.
• Follow the gender or point-sharing rule the class agreed on.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: calls are always made with the hand signal and the observer raises an arm to stop play.
• Limited mobility: play as a fixed handler in one zone, with the mark at two arm's lengths.
• Anxiety about speaking another language: use a card with the phrases and start with one-word calls only.

Learning goals

• Use English to communicate and resolve conflicts during play.
• Apply self-officiating and spirit of the game respectfully.
• Improve passing and cutting in a team invasion game.

Equipment for a class of 25

• flying discs: 4
• cones: 24
• pinnies: 18
• worksheets: 6

Teacher tip

Call cards with drawn hand signals help a lot in the first session. Make it clear that the goal is to communicate, not to speak perfectly.

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